View full sizePablo Martinez Monsivais, The Associated PressPresident Barack Obama walks away from the podium after speaking about the situation in Egypt in the grand foyer of the White House on Tuesday.

The transition "must be meaningful, it must be peaceful and it must begin now," Obama said at the White House after speaking with the Egyptian president by telephone for 30 minutes.

Obama suggested the United States would take a hands-off approach to the change in leadership.

"It is not the role of any other country to determine Egypt's leaders," he said. However, he said it was essential that the process "lead to elections that are free and fair" and responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people.

"Throughout this process, the United States will continue to extend the hand of partnership and friendship," he said.

Obama said there would be "difficult days ahead" and many questions remain. But, he added in his brief remarks, "I am confident the people of Egypt will find those answers."